Alan Swann

Holders Whittlesey Athletic were within a minute of a second round exit in the PFA Senior Cup on Saturday (November 28).

The Peterborough Premier Division high fliers were 2-0 down at half-time at top-flight rivals Uppingham, but drew level with second-half goals from Jack Bates and Liam Harrold. Harrold notched in the 90th minute to send the tie to penalties.

And spot-kicks hold no fears for Whittlesey thanks to the massive presence of Lewis Moat in their goal. Moat made one save and hammered home his own spot-kick as Whittlesey won the shoot out 5-3 to the relief of manager Andy Lodge.

“We played the game on the worst pitch I’ve ever seen,” Lodge said. “It was also windy, dark and very cold so credit to my lads for battling their way though. It wasn’t a great performance, but that would have been impossible on that pitch anyway.”

ICA Sports also sneaked through on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Ketton, while there were a couple of shock results as Division One sides toppled Premier Division outfits.

Pride of place went to Stamford Lions who scored twice in the last 12 minutes through Jack Travers and Ondrej Sobeslav to knock out Holbeach United Reserves 2-0 and Troy Waters (2) and Daniel Pick were the scorers as Baston won 3-1 at Leverington.

Ian Bradbury and Ryan Wheeler both claimed hat-tricks for Harrox. Adam Richardson and Daniel Ramm were the scorers for Sports.

Josh Rosser was another hat-trick hero in AFC Stanground’s 7-2 win over Crowland and Conor Pridmore scored twice for Thorney as they beat Stilton United 4-1.

Sawtry bowed out of the Hunts Cup with a 4-0 defeat at Eaton Socon, but Netherton’s tough Northants Junior Cup tie at United Counties Division One promotion challengers Stewart & Lloyds was postoned because of a waterlogged pitch. They will try again this Saturday (December 5).